Supervised and unsupervised learning to classify scoliosis and healthy subjects based on non-invasive rasterstereography analysis

The aim of our study was to classify scoliosis compared to to healthy patients using non-invasive surface acquisition via Video-raster-stereography, without prior knowledge of radiographic data. Data acquisitions were made using Rasterstereography; unsupervised learning was adopted for clustering and supervised learning was used for prediction model Support Vector Machine and Deep Network architectures were compared. A M-fold cross validation procedure was performed to evaluate the results. The accuracy and balanced accuracy of the best supervised model were close to 85%. Classification rates by class were measured using the confusion matrix, giving a low percentage of unclassified patients. Rasterstereography has turned out to be a good tool to distinguish subject with scoliosis from healthy patients limiting the exposure to unnecessary radiations.

Endoluminal flow diverting stents for middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms: multicenter cohort

BackgroundData regarding the safety and efficacy of flow diverting stents (FDS) in the treatment of middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysms are scarce and limited to small single center series, with particular concern for increased risk of ischemic complications with jailing one of the M2 branches.MethodsProspectively-maintained databases at six North American and European centers were queried for patients harboring MCA bifurcation aneurysms undergoing treatment with FDS (2011–2018). The pertinent clinical and radiographic data were collected and analyzed.Results87 patients (median age 60 years, 69% females) harboring 87 aneurysms were included. The majority of aneurysms were unruptured (79%); 75.9% were saccular with a median maximal diameter of 8.5 mm. Radiographic imaging follow-up was available in 88.5% of cases at a median of 16.3 months post-treatment, showing complete occlusion in 59% and near complete occlusion (90–99%) in 18% of aneurysms. The overall rate of ischemic and hemorrhagic complications was 8% and 1.1%, respectively. Symptomatic and permanent complications were encountered in 5.7% and 2.3% of patients respectively, with retreatment pursued in 2.3% of patients. Jailed branch occlusion was detected in 11.5% of cases, with clinical sequelae in 2.3%. Last follow-up modified Rankin Scale of 0–2 was noted in 96.8% of patients. On multivariate analysis, male sex was the only independent predictor of aneurysmal persistence at last follow-up imaging (p=0.019).ConclusionFDS treatment for MCA bifurcation aneurysms is feasible, with comparable safety and efficacy profiles to other available endovascular options when utilized in carefully selected aneurysms. Jailing of M2 branches was not associated with a higher risk of post-procedural ischemic complications.

The Changing Epidemiology and Microbiology of Patients With Prostate Abscess: Increase in Staphylococcal Infection

Background Prostatic abscesses are rare and have been most commonly associated with gram-negative bacteria; however, Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a leading cause, particularly in persons who are immunocompromised. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients discharged from Ben Taub Hospital with a diagnosis of prostatic abscess during January 2011–January 2019. Demographic, clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic data were abstracted from the patients’ charts and analyzed for comorbidities, causative organisms, clinical course, and outcomes. Results We identified 32 patients with a prostatic abscess during the study period. S. aureus was the most common causative organism (18/32, 56%). Most patients (24/32, 75%) were admitted to a general medicine service, and the median length of stay was 9 days. Twenty-one patients (66%) were treated with a combination of surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy; 11 (34%) were treated with antibiotics alone. All patients treated with antibiotics alone had full clinical recovery. Two patients (6.3%) died, both of whom had septic shock secondary to disseminated S. aureus infection. Conclusions Prostatic abscesses are rare and can be difficult to diagnose, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. S. aureus is a frequent causative organism especially in persons with diabetes mellitus or other immunocompromising conditions. Hematogenous spread of S. aureus infection to the prostate appears common. Prostatic abscesses can serve as the nidus of disseminated S. aureus infection.

Artificial intelligence in periodontics – A dip in the future

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence is a relatively newer technology in the field of medical world. This science uses the machine – learning algorithm and computer software to aid in the diagnostics in medical and dental fields. It is a huge talking point in the field of technology which is spreading it’s wings in all possible sectors at a great speed. This field covers solutions from coaching solutions to diagnostics in medical field covering under the umbrella of all what can be achieved by machine and deep learning. CONTENT: In dentistry, artificial intelligence is creating a revolution in all sections from collection of data, creating algorithms for orthodontic procedures, diagnostic records in the aspect of radiographic data, three dimensional scans and cone beam computed tomography, CAD CAM systems for restorative and prosthetic purposes. Similarly continuous research is being done in the field of periodontics in terms of measuring bone loss, amount of plaque present and much more. CONCLUSION: The field of artificial technology with its varied applications will change the face of dentistry in the upcoming times. Artificial intelligence with its application of machine learning will change the face of dentistry in future.

Efficacy and Sagittal Parameters of Debridement and Bone Grafting using Internal Fixation in the Treatment of Kyphotic Cervical Tuberculosis: A Case Series

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of debridement and bone grafting using internal fixation in the treatment of kyphotic cervical tuberculosis, and analyze the changes of pre-operation and post-operation sagittal parameters, which related to the surgical indications.Methods: Clinical and radiographic data of patients with kyphotic cervical TB treated by debridement and BGIF at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The sagittal parameters of the cervical vertebra at the pre-operation, post-operation, and last follow-up were documented and were compared. Results: Eighteen patients of simple anterior approach debridement and fusion with internal fixation (group A), and 5 patients underwent anterior debridement and fusion, combined with posterior internal fixation (group AP). In the comparison of preoperative sagittal parameters, significant improvement after surgery was observed in both groups, included Cobb angle, SCA, C2-C7SVA, and CG-SVA (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in T1 Slope, NT, and TIA (P > 0.05).Conclusions: In the treatment of kyphotic cervical TB, the characteristics of the lesion, the degree of kyphosis and spinal cord nerve compression damage can be presented clearly by the radiographic sagittal parameters, which does a favor to individualize the choice of surgical approach safely and effectively.

Risk factors for intraoperative endplate injury during minimally-invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion

During lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), unintended intraoperative endplate injury (IEPI) can occur and thereafter lead cage subsidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of IEPI during LLIF, and its predisposing factors. A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients (n = 186; mean age, 70.0 ± 7.6 years) who underwent LLIF at 372 levels. Patient’s demographic and surgical data were compared between patients with and without IEPI. Also, the radiographic data of each level were compared between intact and IEPI segments. IEPI was identified at 76 levels (20.4%) in 65 patients. The incidences of IEPI at every 100 consecutive segments were not different. When 372 segments were analyzed independently, sagittal disc angle (DA) in the extended position (4.3° ± 3.6° at IEPI segments vs. 6.4° ± 4.0° at intact segments), the difference between sagittal DA in the extended position and cage angle (− 2.2° ± 4.0° vs. 0.0° ± 3.9°), and the difference between preoperative disc height and cage height (− 5.4 mm ± 2.4 mm vs. − 4.7 mm ± 2.0 mm) were different significantly. Also, endplate sclerosis was more common at intact segments than IEPI segments (33.2% vs. 17.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio [OR] 0.160; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.036–0.704), endplate sclerosis (OR 3.307; 95% CI 1.450–8.480), and sagittal DA in the extended position (OR 0.674; 95% CI 0.541–0.840) were significant associated factors for IEPI. IEPI was correlated not with surgeon’s experience, but with patient factors, such as sex, preoperative disc angle, and endplate sclerosis. Careful surgical procedures should be employed for patients with these predisposing factors.

A case report of open appendectomy in treating acute perforated appendicitis with necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall: a rare complication of a common disease*

We present a case of a 37-year-old woman referred to our hospital with a 1-week history of significant weakness, anorexia, and mild abdominal pain. According to laboratory and radiographic data, the patient was diagnosed with perforated appendicitis and gangrene.

Deformity analysis of the lower limb on the coronal plane in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate joint orientation angles of the coronal plane in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods In total, 72 patients with RA (90 knees) and 76 patients with OA (90 knees) who underwent total knee arthroplasty were enrolled. The hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), and joint line convergence angle (JLCA) were measured on preoperative long-leg radiographs in the standing position. Student’s t-test was used to assess differences in radiographic data between patients with RA and OA. Results In knees with RA and OA, the mean HKA was −3.4 ± 9.4° and −10.6 ± 8.0°, the mean mLDFA was 86.6 ± 3.7° and 88.2 ± 2.7°, the mean mMPTA was 85.9 ± 4.0° and 84.3 ± 3.7°, and the mean JLCA was 2.7 ± 4.2° and 6.8 ± 4.1°. All parameters in the knees with RA were more valgus than those with OA. Conclusions Knees with RA had a great variability in joint orientation angles on the coronal plane; the whole lower limb alignment and the femur, tibia, and joint were more valgus in knees with RA than with OA.

Technical and biological causes of periapical surgery: Retrospective analysis of 301 apical surgical cases

Aim: Endodontic surgery is a treatment for persistent peri-radicular pathological conditions that do not improve after endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of endodontic treatment, technical error types seen in root canals and the periapical condition of the teeth in patients undergoing periapical surgery, and thus to analyze the reasons leading to periapical surgery. Methodology: Clinical and radiographic data of 301 periapical surgery cases were retrospectively evaluated in this study. The causes of periapical surgery were classified into technical and biological reasons. Results: In this study, 51.8 % of periapical surgery cases were related to biological factors and 48.2 % were related to technical factors. Maxillary anterior teeth were the most common teeth undergoing apical surgery with a rate of 66,8 %. The most common technical reasons were non-homogeneous filling (15,6 %), underfilling (12,0 %) and overfilling (9,6 %). The most common biological reasons were cysts (30,2 %), traumas (16,6 %) and apical abscess (5,0 %). 37.5% of cases undergoing periapical surgery, the diameter of the cystic lesion was 10mm or more. Conclusion: The number of cases of apical periodontitis is increasing in the community due to insufficiently filled root canals. Increasing the quality of root canal treatments applied by dentists will reduce the need for periapical surgery by reducing the incidence of apical periodontitis. How to cite this article: Ekici Ö. Technical and biological causes of periapical surgery: Retrospective analysis of 301 apical surgical cases. Int Dent Res 2021;11(1):38-45. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.no1.7 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.